NCJ Number
58548
Journal
Editorial Research Reports Volume: 1 Issue: 16 Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 307-324
Date Published
1979
Length
20 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY, THIS REPORT EXAMINES THE SEVERITY OF CHILD AND SPOUSE ABUSE, VIOLENCE AS A LEARNED PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR, AND NEW EFFORTS TO HELP ABUSERS.
Abstract
IN 1977, ACCORDING TO THE FBI UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS, NEARLY 20 PERCENT OF ALL MURDER VICTIMS IN THE UNITED STATES WERE RELATED TO THE ASSAILANTS, AND ABOUT HALF OF THESE INTRAFAMILY MURDERS WERE HUSBAND-WIFE KILLINGS. FURTHERMORE, OVER 1 MILLION CHILDREN ARE ABUSED EACH YEAR, PHYSICALLY, SEXUALLY, OR THROUGH NEGLECT, AS REPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE. IN RECENT YEARS THE PROBLEM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS BEEN RECEIVING MORE ATTENTION FROM THE MEDIA, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT, AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. GROWING AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM HAS PROMPTED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FINANCE THE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT, A FEDERAL AID PROGRAM FOR THE PREVENTION, IDENTIFICATION, AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE. SEVERAL STATES HAVE MODIFIED THEIR LAWS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ARREST MEN WHO ABUSE THEIR WIVES, AND GROWING NUMBERS OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE FORMING SPECIALLY TRAINED UNITS TO HANDLE INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. CONTRIBUTING TO THESE EVIDENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE SUGGESTIONS, BASED ON RECENT STUDIES, THAT FAMILY VIOLENCE IS USUALLY A LEARNED PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR AND THAT NORMS WITHIN THE FAMILY ARE FAR MORE ACCEPTING OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE THAN ARE THE RULES GOVERNING BEHAVIOR OUTSIDE OF THE FAMILY. A 1975 BRITISH STUDY OF 100 ABUSIVE HUSBANDS INDICATED THAT OVER HALF OF THEM HAD WITNESSED THEIR FATHERS BATTERING THEIR MOTHERS, AND IN A SIMILAR STUDY OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, IT WAS FOUND THAT 62 PERCENT HAD HIT A SIBLING WHEREAS 'ONLY' 35 PERCENT HAD HIT SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE FAMILY. FINALLY, SOME OF THE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP ABUSERS ARE DISCUSSED: PROFESSIONALS AT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT TEACH LAY THERAPISTS TO WORK IN THE HOME WITH ABUSIVE PARENTS; MOTHER ANONYMOUS, AN ORGANIZATION PATTERNED AFTER ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, GIVES PARENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR PROBLEMS; 24-HOUR HOTLINES; AND VARIOUS THERAPY TECHNIQUES. FOOTNOTES, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND SEVERAL CHARTS ACCOMPANY THE REPORT. (WJR)